NASCAR Cup Series: What is Kyle Larson’s status?

Kyle Larson has reportedly not yet formally requested to be reinstated by NASCAR following his suspension that began back to April.

Over four months ago, Kyle Larson lost the ride he had occupied with Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series team since the 2014 season after using a racial slur during a virtual race on iRacing, which was being live streamed on multiple Twitch channels.

While the 28-year-old Elk Grove, California native was initially only suspended and did not lose his seat behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet right away, Chip Ganassi was effectively forced to pull the plug after many of the team’s sponsors cut ties with him.

Larson completed the required sensitivity training shortly after the incident occurred, but he remained suspended indefinitely by NASCAR.

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While it has been 2003 champion Matt Kenseth behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet since NASCAR returned from the 10-week hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic back in mid-May, Larson has still been keeping busy, competing in (and winning) dozens of dirt track races.

But there has always been the belief that he wants to return to NASCAR, and he has reiterated that sentiment, despite the fact that he didn’t initially come right out and say it and despite the fact that even during his time in NASCAR, he had not been shy about the fact that dirt racing was his true passion.

So more than four months later, where does Larson stand in regard to his NASCAR status?

According to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, the sport has discussed the reinstatement process with Larson and the procedures that come along with that, but Larson has not yet formally requested to be reinstated, despite previous reports.

This could simply mean that he doesn’t have a ride lined up for next year, so there is no purpose in requesting reinstatement at this point. There is nothing restricting him from speaking with teams right now about the 2021 season, so it would make sense for him to wait until something is concrete before he gets reinstated. Otherwise, why bother getting reinstated?

Larson has been linked to a seat at Stewart-Haas Racing should he return to the sport next year, given that they have two pending free agents, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer, and team co-owner Tony Stewart has always been fond of his abilities, and he has been very vocal about the need for NASCAR to reinstate him.

Both drivers have illustrious dirt racing backgrounds, and Stewart even tried to sign Larson as his replacement after he announced that the 2016 season would be his last, but Larson’s contract with Ganassi’s team did not allow that.

Larson has six wins at NASCAR’s top level, including four during a breakout year in 2017. He finished in a career-high sixth place in the 2019 championship standings.